Make just one change each day to improve your health and happiness will follow. [Photo: Bigstock]

Change your life – Health and happiness

23 June, 2014

A few months ago I attended a talk about taking care of yourself – specifically looking after your health.

The one thing that I took away from the talk was the insistence of the speaker that we should make just one change each day towards becoming healthier.

Personally, I’m not naturally attracted to exercise – in fact most of the time I’m downright lazy. But I was determined to take her advice and somehow take steps to improve my level of fitness. And so, in a rash moment, I made a commitment to walk a short circuit near my home which includes a very steep hill.

The first time it took nearly 20 minutes. A month later I clocked it at just under fourteen. By doing this daily I’d knocked over five minutes off my time.

Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy.” — Izaak Walton

The point is that this exercise takes less than 20 minutes per day and it’s already having a hugely beneficial effect. I feel much better – I have more energy – it’s a great way to start each day – even my skin looks better!

What change would you be willing to make – daily – to improve your health and fitness?

It could be something really simple, like choosing to get off the bus one stop sooner and walking the last part to work. Perhaps you will renew that lapsed gym membership? Or actually USE the membership you’re paying for! Maybe you could walk round the block at lunchtime instead of eating at your desk?

To sharpen your resolve – and help you to keep to the commitment – tell someone else (family, friends, work colleagues, your coach) what you plan to do and ask them to keep you accountable.

It doesn’t have to be a huge change. It just needs to be something because without our health, happiness is harder to find.

 

  • Annabel Sutton is a Professional Certified Coach and Author.  She has lived in Los Angeles and Indonesia; survived earthquakes and riots, lived with head-hunters and enjoyed a portfolio career.  She now enjoys a somewhat quieter life in Somerset!  Her latest book, 52 Ways to Transform Your Life (Weekly Wisdom for Busy People), contains 52 inspiring, quick-to-read life tips and is available from http://amzn.to/2nSdMb2 . Find more information at  www.annabelsutton.com.